Lotus Elise 1.6 driven

New entry-level Elise

46.0mpg, 149g/km CO2

On sale now, from £27,450

What Car? Staff

Aug 10, 2010

On the surface there doesn’t appear to be a great deal new about the latest Lotus Elise. There are new lights that incorporate LED daytime running lights (and which bear a striking resemblance to those on the Ferrari California), plus new, lighter wheels and fractionally tweaked aerodynamics. So far, so minimal.

New engine – 46mpgThe bigger changes are under the skin, because Lotus has fitted a new 1.6-litre Toyota-sourced engine with 134bhp – doesn’t sound much, does it? However, there’s another crucial figure that is similarly low, and that’s CO2 output – at 149g/km, the Elise could well be the world’s first low-guilt sports car. Not only that, but it’ll do an average of 46mpg.

Low CO2, high excitementLow guilt then, but not low excitement. Once you’re up to speed, the Elise flows along a twisting road beautifully, gripping hard and changing direction quickly, with the unassisted steering telling you everything you need to know. It even rides well.

But…The main problem is that it simply isn’t quick enough, despite being barely slower on paper than the 1.8-litre version it replaces. Come up behind another car and you need a decent amount of space and planning before you can get past, which is frustrating in a sports car.

This allows you to sit back and survey the cabin your £27k has bought you, which won’t take long because it’s a bit bare. Still, order your Elise with the £2000 Touring Pack and cruise control comes as standard, so once you’re up to speed you don’t have to concentrate on keeping it there.Euan.Doig@whatcar.com